CAREER: Goal Centric Traceability for Managing Systemic Requirements

0447594

Jane Huang

DePaul University

CAREER: Goal Centric Traceability for Supporting Impact Analysis of Systemic Qualities

Software products are increasingly deployed within safety critical applications in which system failure could lead to loss of life, environmental damage, or significant financial loss. Unfortunately numerous accounts of failures cite the root cause as problems related to the incorrect implementation of non-functional qualities such as safety, security, or reliability. The objective of this research is to develop a new technique known as Goal-Centric Traceability (GCT) that will provide effective support for managing systemic qualities. GCT is designed to prevent systemwide non-functional qualities from being adversely impacted during the change process and to ensure the long-term quality of the system. The work will involve developing dynamic traceability techniques between functional and non-functional requirements using probabilistic and constraint-based methods. Heuristics and supporting methods will be defined for identifying the transitive impact of a change upon systemic goals and for automating the re-evaluation of existing assessment models such as performance simulations and executable scenarios. A standard interface for interfacing GCT with popular architectural assessment tools will be developed. The work has potential for significant impact as it addresses a complex yet practical problem commonly experienced in industry.